Edible Apple

Apple recently posted a new job listing looking for an iPhone Software Engineer looking to join Apple’s newly formed Map team. The job listing reads:

The iPhone and iPod touch Maps team is looking for a proactive and hardworking software engineer to join our team. The iPhone Maps application is used by millions of customers and it’s the best mapping program on any mobile platform. Now with iPhone OS 3.0, the MapKit framework allows any developer to embed a fast and easy to use map right in their application. In addition to the Maps application and MapKit framework, the Maps team is also responsible for the new Compass application as well as other location-based services (LBS) on iPhone and iPod touch.

The iPhone has revolutionized the mobile industry and has changed people’s lives and we want to continue to do so. We want to take Maps to the next level, rethink how users use Maps and change the way people find things. We want to do this in a seamless, highly interactive and enjoyable way. We’ve only just started.

As an engineer on the Maps team, your responsibilities will range from implementing low-level client/server code to implementing high-level user interfaces. You’ll be responsible for implementing new and innovative features, fixing problems and enhancing the performance of Maps. You will work closely with the other engineers on the Maps team, other iPhone and iPod touch teams as well our partners in other companies.

This is a pretty telling job position, and only adds more fuel to rumors that Apple is planning to roll-out its own mapping app as a means to lessen its reliance on Google.  Recall it was only a few months ago that Apple purchased an innovative mapping company called PlaceBase.  PlaceBase, believe it or not, actually preceded Google Maps, but once Google made their own offering free, PlaceBase had to regroup and come up with an entirely new business model.  The result?  Mapping software with intriguing and innovative aggregation options.  For example, PlaceBase enables users to aggregate crime data and traffic reports and overlay that information over corresponding locations on a map.  After the acquisition, PlaceBase’s former CEO and founder, Jaron Waldman, joined Apple’s “Geo Team.”

hat tip MacRumors